<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS OF 
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED FOR THE THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED JUNE 23, 
1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-29-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-25-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-23-1996
<CASH>                                      24,568,000
<SECURITIES>                                 2,061,000
<RECEIVABLES>                               48,817,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,412,000
<INVENTORY>                                 18,729,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            98,664,000
<PP&E>                                     246,281,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             135,062,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             217,925,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       50,570,000
<BONDS>                                     30,580,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       109,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 132,166,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               217,925,000
<SALES>                                    261,296,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           261,296,000
<CGS>                                      200,187,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              200,187,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            19,042,000<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,489,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,369,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             15,885,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 3,492,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         12,393,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                12,393,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.21
<FN>
<F1>OTHER EXPENSES REFLECT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES
</FN>